Category Archives: CDC Health Advisory

National 01/22/16 medscape.com: by Robert Lowes – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today that it has added eight more countries and territories — some outside the Americas — to the list that pregnant women should avoid on account of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is strongly suspected of causing microcephaly.

In addition, the agency is conducting research with hard-hit Brazil into a possible link between the virus and Guillain-Barrésyndrome (GBS), which has been reported in patients with probable Zika infections.

Last week, the CDC advised pregnant women to consider postponing trips to 14 countries and territories in Central and South America and the Caribbean where mosquitos have spread the Zika virus. It also suggested that women trying to become pregnant should first consult their physician before traveling to those areas, and if they do, to apply insect repellent and take other measures to avoid mosquito bites. These 14 countries and territories are Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Of the eight countries and territories added to the list of Zika hot spots, six are in the Caribbean and South America: Barbados, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, and Guyana. The two others, Cape Verde and Samoa, break the geographic pattern. Cape Verde is off the coast of Africa while Samoa is in Polynesia. – For complete article see http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/857693?nlid=98072_3901&src=wnl_newsalrt_160122_MSCPEDIT&uac=218349HV&impID=965828&faf=1

British Columbia 07/04/13 edmontonjournal.com: by Tiffany Crawford, Vancouver Sun – Conservation officers in Fernie are searching for a wounded mother grizzly bear after two men were attacked Wednesday morning on the ridge of Proctor Mountain. Sgt. Joe Caravetta, a B.C. conservation officer, said two men in their mid-30s from Fernie were walking on a popular hiking and mountain biking trail between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. when they encountered a sow and her cub. He said the sow became “very defensive” of her cub and attacked one of the men and pushed him about six metres down the steep trail near the peak of the mountain. The man used his bear spray and the grizzly retreated, said Caravetta. The sow then went after the other hiker and knocked him to the ground before chewing on his arms and upper body. Caravetta said the hiker pulled out his gun and shot the bear at close range. The wounded animal ran away with her cub. The men administered their own first-aid from supplies they were carrying in their packs.

Limping with wounds to their legs, arms and bodies, the two men made their way back down the mountain and to Elk Valley Hospital. One man was treated at Elk Valley and released, while the other was taken to Lethbridge Hospital in Alberta with non-life-threatening injuries. He was also released early Thursday morning, said Caravetta. Conservation officers don’t know how badly hurt the bear is or whether it died, but will try and locate the bear today. Caravetta said they may have to kill the bear if it is in pain. “If it’s suffering we will put it out of its misery. We don’t want an animal to suffer,” he said. The attack was defensive and not predatory, said Caravetta, adding that the hikers were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Fairy Creek recreation trail has been closed as a precaution while conservation officers investigate. – For complete article see http://www.edmontonjournal.com/travel/Mother+grizzly+bear+attacks+hikers+near+Fernie/8616349/story.html

Influenza (H3N2v):

National 07/05/13 cdc.gov: Health Advisory – The first cases of influenza A (H3N2) variant (H3N2v) virus infection this year were reported in June 2013. These cases were associated with exposure to swine at an agricultural fair prior to illness onset. Agricultural fairs take place across the United States every year, primarily during the summer months and into early fall. Many fairs have swine barns, where pigs from different places come in close contact with each other and with people. These venues may allow spread of influenza viruses both among pigs and between pigs and people. Persons who are at high risk for influenza complications should avoid exposure to pigs and swine barns at fairs this year. – For complete advisory see http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00351.as

Missouri 07/03/13 Wayne County: So far, 19 rabid animals have been detected in the southeast area (14 skunks, one horse, one cat, three dogs) versus only three rabid animals (all bats) in the rest of the state. Although the total number of rabid animals seen in southeastern Missouri is above average, the alarming aspect is the number of these animals that are domestic. This is quite unusual for Missouri and most likely indicates a sustained, higher-than-normal level of rabies activity in animals that naturally harbor and transmit this virus, which in this part of Missouri is primarily skunks. – See http://www.waynecojournalbanner.com/news/article_c3f82f04-e3ed-11e2-bd6f-0019bb30f31a.html

Vermont 07/03/13 Washington County: Eleven people, including six children, and several pets are being treated for potential exposure to the rabies virus after a baby skunk was rescued from the side of a road in Barre. The only way to rescue a wild animal is to make sure it is handled properly (with gloves and placed into a box) and brought to a state wildlife rehabilitator. For guidance on what to do if you find a wild animal (such as a baby animal that appears to have been abandoned by its mother), contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (802-241-3700. Once the animals are taken in as pets and improperly handled, and people are either bitten or exposed to saliva, the potential for rabies requires that the animal is tested for the disease. Animal testing for rabies involves killing the animal and testing a sample of its brain tissue. Without treatment, rabies is a fatal disease for humans and animals. – See http://vtdigger.org/2013/07/03/health-department-11-people-exposed-to-rabid-skunk/

New Mexico 08/10/12 krqe.com: by Susan Montoya Bryan – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed an order Thursday calling for the shooting of a female Mexican gray wolf that was accused of killing too many cows in southwestern New Mexico. This marks the first time since 2007 that the agency was taking the step to kill an endangered wolf due to livestock problems. The order calls for shooting the Fox Mountain Pack’s alpha female. Wolf Recovery Coordinator Sherry Barrett said it was a difficult decision given that the population of endangered wolves in New Mexico and Arizona has been struggling since reintroduction began 14 years ago. “Our goal is to recover the population and to grow this particular population, but we also recognize the need to address these depredations so that we have a successful reintroduction program,” she said. The rancher who lost cattle to the Fox Mountain Pack was compensated for his losses, but Barrett did not know how much he was paid through the government’s reimbursement program. Barrett also declined to release the name of the rancher. . . .

. . . . .. .A subspecies of the gray wolf, the Mexican wolf once roamed parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Mexico. Hunting and government-sponsored extermination campaigns all but wiped out the predator. It was added to the federal endangered species list in 1976, and a captive-breeding program was started. The first batch of wolves was released in May 1998, and at least 58 wolves remain in the wild along the New Mexico-Arizona border. Biologists estimate there are 14 packs among the two states. – For complete article see http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/central/feds-order-lethal-removal-of-wolf

California 08/09/12 oregonlive.com: State scientists say the lone wolf roaming far Northern California should be considered a candidate for listing under the state endangered species act. A report from the Department of Fish and Game called the presence of the gray wolf that crossed the border from Oregon last December an “historic and a scientific certainty.” The report says that other wolves could migrate to form breeding populations. “Whether one is for or against listing wolves as threatened or endangered … one must acknowledge the fact that the arrival of wolf OR7 in our state was an historic event,” said Jordan Traverso, deputy director of communications for the department. The report was presented Wednesday to members of the California Fish and Game Commission, which will decide in October whether to accept the recommendation. – For complete article see http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2012/08/or-7_arrival_in_california_pro.html

National 08/09/12 cdc.gov: CDC Health Advisory – (Excerpt) “(T)here are 145 confirmed cases of influenza infection with H3N2v virus, since the current outbreaks began in July of this year. This includes one case in Hawaii, one case in Illinois, 113 cases being reported from Indiana, and 30 cases being reported from Ohio. This is clearly a significant increase since last week’s total, so we thought it would be good to try to put this into context. Like we reported last week, confirmed cases have had exposure to swine, and most of these infections have occurred in people exhibiting swine, family members of exhibitors, people visiting swine barns at fairs, or people attending fairs where swine are present. The severity of human illness associated with this virus continues to resemble that of seasonal flu. Most cases are mild and self-limited and resolve on their own. Most cases have occurred in children. CDC has not received any report of deaths associated with H3N2v infection, and there have been two confirmed hospitalizations with H3N2v infection so far. Both patients have recovered and have been discharged.” Joseph Bresee, M.D., Influenza Division, CDC – For complete transcript see http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2012/t0809_H3N2v.html

Illinois 08/10/12 chicagoist.com: by Chuck Sudo – Police in Glencoe have asked residents to be on alert for a cougar or cougars in the North Shore suburb after a July 26 sighting. It was the latest in a series of reported mountain lion sightings in the north suburbs in recent months. Although there hasn’t been any photographic evidence of the felines, Glencoe Public Safety Director Michael Volling is taking a “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” approach. The latest sighting occurred July 26 near the intersection of Dell Place and Lakeside Terrace. – See http://chicagoist.com/2012/08/10/north_shore_cougar_sighting_deemed.php

Maryland 08/10/12 dhmh.maryland.gov: News Release – Public health officials today announced that an adult in Central Maryland is the state’s first confirmed human case of symptomatic WNV infection in 2012. WNV was also detected in a pool of mosquitoes collected in Montgomery County by the U.S. Department of Defense. – See http://dhmh.maryland.gov/publicrelations/pr/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=275

Texas 08/10/12 Denton, Denton County: Public health officials have confirmed that a 90-year-old resident with underlying health conditions is the county’s first death associated with WNV this year. There have been 66 total human cases of the virus, and 65 positive mosquito pools, in the county so far this year. – See http://www.scntx.com/articles/2012/08/10/lewisville_leader/news/9016.txt

National 08/03/12 npr.org: by Rob Stein – Federal health officials Friday reported a jump this summer in the number of people who have gotten infected with a new swine flu virus. Sixteen cases of the new H3N2 swine flu have been confirmed in the last few weeks, including 12 in the last week alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Ten of last week’s cases occurred in Ohio, while the two others were in Indiana and Hawaii. The new cases bring the total number of cases of the new virus in people to 29 since the pathogen was first identified last year. Almost all the infections have occurred in people who had close contact with pigs — mostly kids at agricultural fairs.

Officials aren’t too worried yet because the virus isn’t spreading easily from person to person. Only three of the cases were hospitalized and no one has died, according the CDC’s Joseph Bresee. But whenever a pig virus jumps to people, it always raises concerns about a possible outbreak because so few people have immunity against it. And, as we’ve reported, there’s been more talk in recent years about the need for better monitoring the health of the animals most likely to pass on a flu virus with pandemic potential — pigs and birds. Some have criticized the pork industry for its reluctance to share data with human health officials. In 2010, the CDC and U.S. Department of Agriculture finally set up a surveillance system for pigs they’ve been discussing for years. But as for the current outbreak, the CDC is urging are urging people to wash their hands a lot and take other precautions whenever they have close contact with pigs.

Colorado 08/03/12 broomfieldenterprise.com: Tularemia has been found in rabbits collected near Plaster Reservoir in Broomfield. Broomfield Public Health and Environment on Thursday confirmed tularemia in the rabbits collected from the area south and west of the reservoir, which is northeast of 136th Avenue and Lowell Boulevard. Tests were conducted after residents noticed several dead rabbits and biting deer flies in the area. The threat to humans from the outbreak is thought to be minimal and no trails will be closed, but Public Health and Environment Division is advising residents to avoid handling or coming into contact rodents, squirrels and rabbits. Tularemia is rare among humans, with less than 200 cases reported each year, according to the city. “It’s not a disease that is typically on our radar from year to year” for humans, said Public Health Officer Jeff Stoll. Though rare, people can be infected through tick and deer fly bites, handling animal carcasses, drinking contaminated water and breathing in contaminated dust. – For complete article see http://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/broomfield-news/ci_21228895/tularemia-found-rabbits-near-plaster-reservoir-broomfield?source=most_viewed

West Nile Virus (WNV):

California 08/03/12 Sacramento & Yolo counties: Vector control officials announced today that further evidence of WNV activity has been detected in the two counties as 41 mosquito samples, 43 dead birds, and 2 sentinel chickens tested positive for the virus this week. – https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/138ee6eb7b69010b

Louisiana 08/03/12 sfgate.com: Two people have died in the state as a result of WNV infections. The health department said Friday that the number of overall WNV infections in the state rose this week by 21 for a total of 53. WNV infections usually cause no symptoms or relatively mild flu-like symptoms. But, in some cases, the mosquito-borne virus causes life-threatening brain or spinal cord diseases — also known as neuroinvasive diseases — such as encephalitis or meningitis. – See http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/2-West-Nile-deaths-reported-in-La-3760956.php

New Jersey 08/02/12 Burlington County: Two wild animals in Palmyra and Cinnaminson have tested positive for rabies, according to Palmyra Police, after one tried to attack a family’s two dogs. A fox and a groundhog, who were either found dead or killed on the 900 and 1100 blocks of Morgan Avenue, were tested by county officials. Both came back positive for rabies. – See http://cinnaminson.patch.com/articles/two-wild-animals-in-palmyra-tested-positive-for-rabies

New York 08/02/12 LaGrange, Dutchess County: Dutchess County health officials are looking into the possibility that a cat that bit two people in the Town of LaGrange on Wednesday, August 1 at 9:40 a.m. may be rabid. After biting the two individuals, the cat ran off into the woods near the intersection of Noxon Road and Titusville Road. The cat is a gray juvenile tabby cat with stripes and is presumed to have rabies based on its behavior and appearance, the Dutchess County Health Department said Thursday. If you or someone you know, or any domestic pets were bitten by a cat matching that description within the past few days, or if you know the whereabouts of the animal, you are asked to call the Dutchess County Health Department as soon as possible at 845-486-3404.

Jerry Genesio

Author of "UNSEEN HAZARDS That Threaten Hunters, Campers, and Hikers: What you should know about pathogens commonly found in wildlife."

This is where wildlife and healthcare professionals, hunters, campers, hikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will find interesting information about natural unseen hazards that place them at risk. As my book focused exclusively on Rabies, Tetanus (Lockjaw), Tularemia (Rabbit Fever), Brucellosis (Undulant Fever), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Borrelia (Lyme Disease), posts regarding these six diseases will be limited to more recent developments and items of interest that were not included or were not available when the book was published in June of 2009. Topics will also include Chronic Wasting Disease, West Nile Virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and other diseases of particular interest to those who work and play in the great American outdoors.

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